Can Adaptive Cruise Control Make Turns?
3 Answers
Adaptive cruise control cannot make turns. Below is a relevant introduction to adaptive cruise control: 1. How adaptive cruise control works: In an adaptive cruise control system, the system uses low-power radar beams to determine the exact position of the vehicle ahead. If it detects that the vehicle ahead is slowing down or a new target is detected, the system sends an execution signal to the engine or braking system to reduce speed, thereby maintaining a safe driving distance between the vehicle and the one ahead. 2. Advantages of adaptive cruise control: It not only maintains the speed preset by the driver but can also reduce speed as needed under specific driving conditions, even automatically applying the brakes.
As a veteran driver who frequently takes long-distance trips, I must tell you that adaptive cruise control has limited performance on highway curves. Having driven many cars equipped with this feature, I've found it mainly relies on the preceding vehicle's trajectory and lane line recognition to assist with steering, but the system may suddenly disengage during sharp turns. I remember once on a mountainous highway when the system directly issued an alert requiring me to take over the steering wheel. Its turning capability depends on three key factors: sensor accuracy, curve radius, and vehicle speed. It's basically useless for sharp turns at speeds over 70 km/h, and becomes even less reliable when the radar is obstructed in rainy conditions. Although advertised as capable of handling gentle curves, in reality, the function fails immediately if lane markings are unclear or if the preceding vehicle suddenly changes lanes. So I advise fellow drivers not to rely too much on it, especially on unfamiliar roads—always keep your hands ready to firmly grip the steering wheel for safety.
I once conducted specialized tests on adaptive cruise systems from different brands and found significant variations in their performance during turns. Some premium models can navigate curves smoothly up to 30 degrees, while most standard models begin to struggle beyond 15 degrees. The key lies in how the system operates: it doesn't actively control the steering wheel but achieves minor turns by adjusting speed in coordination with lane-keeping assist. During my tests on urban ring roads, the vehicle would sway left and right like a drunkard when encountering consecutive S-curves. More concerning is the system's sluggish response to sudden situations—for instance, when a stationary vehicle suddenly appears on a curve, the braking intervention often comes half a beat too late. I recommend that owners always check their vehicle's maximum steering angle limit before using the system, which is usually specified in the safety manual.
